Unwrapping Graceনমুনা

You Are a Manager of Grace

Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you. - Ephesians 3:2

In the first two chapters of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul paints in broad strokes a picture of God’s saving, unifying work in the cosmos. He concludes by focusing in the latter half of chapter 2 on the people of God, who serve as a unified, holy temple in which the Spirit of God dwells.

Chapter 3 begins in a different vein, with Paul explaining his own mission in light of God’s cosmic work. After noting that he is a prisoner (literally) because of his ministry to the Gentiles (3:1), Paul writes: “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you…” The Greek word translated here as “administration” is oikonomia, which meant “management, arrangement, or stewardship.” Paul sees himself as one to whom God has entrusted his grace and who is responsible for managing this grace faithfully. 

Paul’s particular administration meant delivering the good news of God’s grace to the Gentiles. Though you and I have not been given the exact same “administration” as the Apostle Paul, we have been entrusted with God’s grace so that we might manage it well. This is true for people in any walk of life, in any occupation, in any living situation. But it is it obviously and gloriously true for those of us called to lead God’s people in worship. 

Do you ever think of yourself as a manager of grace? If this sounds odd, let me explain a couple of things. First of all, as a manager, you do not own the thing you manage. You never own grace. God does. But you have been given God’s grace so that you might give it to others. In your work, as you lead songs and prayers, as you read Scripture and preach, as you invite people to participate in the sacraments or encourage them to pray for each other, you are stewarding God’s grace. 

Second, if you are a manager of grace, then your job is not primarily to get people to do things. As a worship leader, it is easy to think that your responsibility is to get people to worship expressively and authentically. There is a sense in which this is true, of course, but in a deeper way, you are leading to help people know God’s grace. You want them to experience God’s love, mercy, and kindness. As this happens, worship will flow from the hearts of those entrusted to your care. 

When I think of my worship leadership as management of grace, I’m reminded that the gospel should be central to any worship service I lead. I do not mean that you and I must include a literal presentation of the good news every time we gather with our people. But in a wide variety of ways and genres, the content of your worship should reflect the gospel. All of the corporate words read, prayed, and sung should point to God’s love in Christ. They should call forth a response, not based on obligation, but rather on love received and thanks given. 

Personal Questions:

Do you see your life as an opportunity to manage God’s grace? If so, how did you come to this understanding? If not, why not?

In what ways does God’s grace impact your life today? 

Questions Relevant to Your Worship Leadership:

If you were to see your worship leader role as a manager of grace, how might you work differently? What might be your goals and objectives for your work? 

Right now, how faithful and effective are you as a manager of God’s grace?

How can you help your people to see themselves as managers of God’s grace? 

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for all that you have given to me, for the countless manifestations of your grace in my life. 

Help me to see my life as an opportunity to administer your grace faithfully, for your purposes. Teach me to think of myself as a manager of grace no matter where I am or what I am doing. May this perspective transform my work, my relationships, my daily priorities. 

As I lead your people in worship, may your grace flow through me. May the gospel be central to all I do. And may you receive all the glory. Amen.